Zigbee: “Wireless Control That Simply Works”

William C. Craig
Program Manager Wireless Communications
ZMD America, Inc.

I. INTRODUCTION
There are many wireless monitoring and control applications for industrial
and home markets which require longer battery life, lower data rates and less
complexity than available from existing wireless standards. These standards
provide higher data rates at the expense of power consumption, application
complexity and cost. What these markets need, in many cases, is a standards-
based wireless technology having the performance characteristics that closely
meet the requirements for reliability, security, low power and low cost. This
standards-based, interoperable wireless technology will address the unique
needs of low data rate wireless control and sensor-based networks.

For such wireless applications, a standard has been developed by the

IEEE [1]: "The IEEE 802.15 Task Group 4 is chartered to investigate a low data
rate solution with multi-month to multi-year battery life and very low complexity. It
is intended to operate in an unlicensed, international frequency band". Potential
applications are home automation, wireless sensors, interactive toys, smart
badges and remote controls. The scope of the task group is to define the
physical layer (PHY) and the media access controller (MAC). An overview of the
specification can be found in [2]. A graphical representation of the areas of
responsibility between the IEEE standard, ZigBee Alliance, and User is
presented in Figure 1. The definition of the application profiles is organized by
the ZigBee™ Alliance [3].

APPLICATION/PROFILES User Defined

APPLICATION FRAMEWORK
ZigBee
NETWORK/SECURITY Alliance
LAYERS

MAC LAYER
IEEE
PHY LAYER

Figure 1 – IEEE 802.15.4 Stack

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 Since total system cost is a key factor for industrial and home wireless
applications, a highly integrated single-chip approach is the preferred solution of
semiconductor manufacturers developing IEEE 802.15.4 compliant transceivers.
The IEEE standard at the PHY is the significant factor in determining the RF
architecture and topology of ZigBee enabled transceivers currently sampling.
Generally, CMOS is the desired technology to integrate both analog circuitry and
high gate count digital circuitry for lower cost with the challenge being RF
performance.

For these optimized short-range wireless solutions, the other key element
above the Physical and MAC Layer is the Network/Security Layers for sensor
and control integration. The ZigBee Alliance is in the process of defining the
characteristics of these layers for star, mesh, and cluster tree topologies. The
performance of these networks will complement the IEEE standard while meeting
the requirements for low complexity and low power.

This paper will describe the characteristics of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard,
RF design considerations of the PHY, ZigBee network topologies, and present a
representative ZigBee application.

II. IEEE 802.15.4 OVERVIEW

The IEEE 802.15.4 standard defines two PHYs representing three license-
free frequency bands that include sixteen channels at 2.4 GHz, ten channels at
902 to 928 MHz, and one channel at 868 to 870 MHz. The maximum data rates
for each band are 250 kbps, 40 kbps and 20 kbps, respectively. The 2.4 GHz
band operates worldwide while the sub-1 GHz band operates in North America,
Europe, and Australia/New Zealand, Table 1. The IEEE standard is intended to
conform to established regulations in Europe, Japan, Canada and the United
States.
Spreading Parameters Data Parameters
Frequency Channel
PHY Symbol
Band Numbering Chip Rate Modulation Bit Rate Modulation
Rate
868-870 MHz 0 300 kchip/s BPSK 20 kb/s 20 kbaud BPSK
868/915 MHz
902-928 MHz 1 to 10 600 kchip/s BPSK 40 kb/s 40 kbaud BPSK
16-ary
2.4 GHz 2.4-2.4835 GHz 11 to 26 2.0 Mchip/s O-QPSK 250 kb/s 62.5 kbaud
Orthogonal

Table 1 - Frequency Bands and Data Rate

Both PHYs use Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS). The

modulation type in the 2.4 GHz band is O-QPSK with a 32 PN-code length and
an RF bandwidth of 2 MHz. In the sub-1 GHz bands, BPSK modulation is used
with a 15 PN-code length and operates in an RF bandwidth of 600 kHz in Europe
and 1200 kHz in North America.
2 ZMD America, Inc.
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III. RF DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

A representative sub-1 GHz transceiver is shown in Figure 2. The IC

contains a 900 MHz physical layer (PHY) and portion of the media access
controller (hardware-MAC). The remaining MAC functions (software-MAC) and
the application layer are executed on an external microcontroller. All PHY
functions are integrated on the chip with minimal external components required
for a complete radio. A low-cost crystal is used as a reference for the PLL and to
clock the digital circuitry. To optimize energy consumption in sleep mode while
still keeping an accurate time base, a Real Time Clock reference can be used.

Figure 2 – Sub-1 GHz Transceiver Block Diagram

The analog portion of the receiver converts the desired signal from RF to
the digital baseband. Synchronization, despreading and demodulation are done
in the digital portion of the receiver. The digital part of the transmitter does the
spreading and baseband filtering, whereas the analog part of the transmitter
does the modulation and conversion to RF. The three main analog blocks - the
direct-conversion receiver, direct-conversion transmitter, and fractional-N PLL,
are discussed as follows.

The choice of the receiver architecture is mainly a compromise between

performance, cost (considering both silicon area and external components), and
power consumption [4]. A direct-conversion receiver (DCR) architecture (or
Zero-IF architecture) was selected as there is no image frequency and IF filtering
required. Further advantages are that the channel select filters are low-pass
filters, instead of band-pass filters, and the baseband frequency is the lowest
possible. The DCR architecture provides the additional benefits of lower cost,
complexity, and power consumption [5].

The transmitter architecture is also direct-conversion. Since BPSK

modulation is used, only one baseband path is required. A differential

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architecture was used to minimize common mode noise. The output can be
single-ended or differential. The single-ended output was selected for the
advantages of lower cost, an on chip TR switch, and eliminates the requirement
for an external balun.

Table 1 shows the channel allocation in the sub-1 GHz bands of the IEEE
standard which sets the required bandwidth and frequency resolution. This had
major impact on the PLL topology. The goal was one PLL circuit for the 868/915
MHz bands using a fixed crystal frequency. To meet these requirements, a
fractional-N PLL architecture was chosen. An additional benefit is the software
controlled fractional-N PLL provides the adaptability to meet future worldwide
spectrum expansion in the range of 860 to 930 MHz. [6]

IV. ZIGBEE NETWORK CONSIDERATIONS

In the interest of brevity, many network specific features of the IEEE

802.15.4 standard are not covered in detail in this paper. However, these are
necessary for the efficient operation of ZigBee networks. These features of the
PHY include receiver energy detection, link quality indication and clear channel
assessment. Both contention-based and contention-free channel access
methods are supported with a maximum packet size of 128 bytes, which includes
a variable payload up to 104 bytes. Also employed are 64-bit IEEE and 16-bit
short addressing, supporting over 65,000 nodes per network. The MAC provides
network association and disassociation, has an optional superframe structure
with beacons for time synchronization, and a guaranteed time slot (GTS)
mechanism for high priority communications. The channel access method is
carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA-CA).

ZigBee defines the network, security, and application framework profile

layers for an IEEE 802.15.4-based system. ZigBee’s network layer supports
three networking topologies; star, mesh, and cluster tree as shown in Figure 3.
Star networks are common and provide for very long battery life operation. Mesh,
or peer-to-peer, networks enable high levels of reliability and scalability by
providing more than one path through the network. Cluster-tree networks utilize a
hybrid star/mesh topology that combines the benefits of both for high levels of
reliability and support for battery-powered nodes.

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 Mesh

Star

PAN coordinator
Cluster Tree
Full Function Device
Reduced Function Device

Figure 3 – ZigBee Network Topologies

To provide for low cost implementation options, the ZigBee Physical

Device type distinguishes the type of hardware based on the IEEE 802.15.4
definition of reduced function device (RFD) and full function device (FFD). An
IEEE 802.15.4 network requires at least one FFD to act as a network coordinator.
The description of each Physical Device type is found in Table 2. [7]

Reduced Function Device Full Function Device

Limited to star topology Can function in any topology
Cannot become network coordinator Capable of being Network coordinator
Talks only to network coordinator (FFD) Capable of being a coordinator
Simple implementation – min RAM and ROM. Can talk to any other device (FFD/RFD)
Generally battered powered Generally line powered
Table 2 – ZigBee Physical Device Types

An RFD is implemented with minimum RAM and ROM resources and

designed to be a simple send and/or receive node in a larger network. With a
reduced stack size, less memory is required, thus a less expensive IC. ZigBee
RFDs are generally battery powered. RFDs can search for available networks,
transfer data from its application as necessary, determine whether data is
pending, request data from the network coordinator, and sleep for extended
periods of time to reduce battery consumption. RFDs can only talk to an FFD, a
device with sufficient system resources for network routing. The FFD can serve
as a network coordinator, a link coordinator or as just another communications
device. Any FFD can talk to other FFD and RFDs. FFDs discover other FFDs
and RFDs to establish communications, and are typically line powered.

The ZigBee Logical Device type distinguishes the Physical Device types
(RFD or FFD) deployed in a specific ZigBee network. The Logical Device types
are ZigBee Coordinators, ZigBee Routers, and ZigBee End Devices. The ZigBee
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Coordinator initializes a network, manages network nodes, and stores network
node information. The ZigBee Router participates in the network by routing
messages between paired nodes. The ZigBee End Device acts as a leaf node in
the network and can be an RFD or FFD. ZigBee application device types
distinguish the type of device from an end-user perspective as specified by the
Application Profiles.

ZigBee’s self-forming and self-healing mesh network architecture permits

data and control messages to be passed from one node to other node via
multiple paths. This feature extends the range of the network and improves data
reliability. This peer-to-peer capability may be used to build large, geographically
dispersed networks where smaller networks are linked together to form a ‘cluster
tree’ network. ZigBee provides a security toolbox to ensure reliable and secure
networks. Access control lists, packet freshness timers and 128-bit encryption
protect data transmission and ZigBee wireless networks. [8]

V. ZIGBEE APPLICATIONS

ZigBee networks consist of multiple traffic types with their own unique
characteristics, including periodic data, intermittent data, and repetitive low
latency data. The characteristics of each are as follows:
• Periodic data – usually defined by the application such as a wireless
sensor or meter. Data typically is handled using a beaconing system
whereby the sensor wakes up at a set time and checks for the beacon,
exchanges data, and goes to sleep.
• Intermittent data – either application or external stimulus defined such as a
wireless light switch. Data can be handled in a beaconless system or
disconnected. In disconnected operation, the device will only attach to the
network when communications is required, saving significant energy.
• Repetitive low latency data – uses time slot allocations such as a security
system. These applications may use the guaranteed time slot (GTS)
capability. GTS is a method of QoS that allows each device a specific
duration of time as defined by the PAN coordinator in the Superframe to
do whatever it requires without contention or latency.

For example, an automatic meter reading application represents a periodic

data traffic type with data from water or gas meters being transmitted to a line
powered electric meter and passed over a powerline to a central location. Using
the beaconing feature of the IEEE standard, the respective RFD meter wakes up
and listens for the beacon from the PAN coordinator, if received, the RFD
requests to join the network. The PAN coordinator accepts the request. Once
connected, the device passes the meter information and goes to sleep. This
capability provides for very low duty cycles and enables multi-year battery life.
Intermittent traffic types, such as wireless light switches, connect to the network
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when needed to communicate (i.e. turn on a light). For repetitive low latency
applications a guaranteed time slot option provides for Quality of Service with a
contention free, dedicated time slot in each superframe that reduces contention
and latency. Applications requiring timeliness and critical data passage may
include medical alerts and security systems. In all applications, the smaller
packet sizes of ZigBee devices results in higher effective throughput values
compared to other standards.

ZigBee networks are primarily intended for low duty cycle sensor networks
(<1%). A new network node may be recognized and associated in about 30 ms.
Waking up a sleeping node takes about 15 ms, as does accessing a channel and
transmitting data. ZigBee applications benefit from the ability to quickly attach
information, detach, and go to deep sleep, which results in low power
consumption and extended battery life.

VI. SUMMARY

This paper has combined the characteristics of the IEEE 802.15.4

standard with the maturing ZigBee specification in defining the wireless profiles
for low data rate monitoring and control applications. The capabilities of both will
result in the availability of a technology tailored specifically for the low power, low
cost, and low complexity applications in the industrial, residential, and home
today and in the future.

VII. REFERENCES
[1] Homepage of IEEE 802.15 WPAN Task Group 4 (TG4),
http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/15/pub/TG4.html
[2] Ed Callaway, P. Gorday, L. Hester, J.A. Gutierrez, M. Neave, B. Heile, V. Bahl,
"Home networking with IEEE 802.15.4: A developing standard for low-rate
wireless personal area networks," IEEE Communication Magazine, vol. 40, no. 8,
pp. 70-77, August 2002.
[3] Homepage of ZigBee™ Alliance, http://www.zigbee.org/
[4] B. Razavi, RF Microelectronics, Prentice Hall 1998.
[5] D. Pozar, Microwave and RF Design of Wireless Systems, 2001.
[6] Göpfert, L. and the ZMD Engineering Team, A Fully-Integrated 900MHz
CMOS RF Transceiver Including Digital Baseband for IEEE 802.15.4/ZigBee
Application.
[7] P. Kinney, ZigBee Technology: Wireless Control that Simply Works, White
Paper dated 2 October 2003.
[8] Frenzel, L., A Supplement to Electronic Design, Wireless Control That Simply
Works, January 12, 2004.

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